존댓말
jondaetmal
The English phrase "honorifics" is translated into Korean as 존댓말 (jondaetmal).
In Korean, 존댓말 refers to the formal speech form. You must switch between using 존댓말 and its counterpart, 반말, depending on the social hierarchy and the level of intimacy between the speakers.
Which one should you use?
While 존댓말 is the formal speech form, its opposite is 반말, which is the informal or casual speech form.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "to use honorifics," you can say 존댓말을 쓰다, which combines the noun with the verb 쓰다 (to use) and the object marker.
How do you pronounce it?
jondaetmal
Did you know?
- It is possible to use 존댓말 to create psychological distance or express coldness toward someone, rather than just showing respect.
- Even when using 존댓말, Koreans may use 'honorific nouns' like 진지 instead of 밥 for 'meal' to show extreme respect to an elder.
- The term 존댓말 contains the archaic genitive suffix -ㅅ-, a linguistic relic that connects the concept of 'respect' to 'speech' in a way that feels very traditional to native speakers.
Examples in context
- 처음 만났을 때는 존댓말을 써야 해요.Cheoeum mannasseul ttaeneun jondatmal-eul sseoya haeyo.You should use honorifics when you first meet someone.
- 한국에서는 존댓말이 아주 중요해요.Hangugeseoneun jondatmal-i aju jung-yohaeyo.Honorifics are very important in Korea.
- 선생님께 존댓말을 쓰는 연습을 하고 있어요.Seonsaengnimkke jondatmal-eul sseuneun yeonseup-eul hago isseoyo.I am practicing using honorifics with my teacher.
Example conversation
Subin is teaching Dohyun how to speak politely in Korean.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 여기서는 존댓말을 써야 해요.Dohyun ssi, yeogiseoneun jondaetmareul sseoya haeyo.Dohyun, you have to use honorifics here.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말요? 왜 그래야 하죠?jeongmalyo? wae geuraeya hajyo?Really? Why do I have to?
- 수빈 Su-bin상대방을 존중하는 방법이에요.sangdaebangeul jonjunghaneun bangbeobieyo.It is a way of showing respect to the other person.
- 도현 Do-hyeon알겠어요. 열심히 배울게요.algesseoyo. yeolsimhi baeulgeyo.I understand. I will study hard.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 존댓말, CC BY-SA 4.0.
